News

Remote employees in Russia may be required to return to the office amid concerns about a potential block of Telegram, according to the Telegram channel Mash.

Read also: Telegram’s Durov slams Spain’s teen tech lockdown as a blow to personal freedom.

The news outlet reported that after Russia’s communications regulator, Roskomnadzor, updated its threat-mitigation settings — which internet service providers use to manage traffic — remote desktop protocol, or RDP, connections began malfunctioning. These connections allow employees to access Windows desktops and corporate systems from outside the office.

Disruptions...

«The whole community is fasting. People, whose palates are dry from days of fasting and whose lips are parched, wait impatiently for sunset,» wrote Zhussipbek Aimauytuly, a prominent Kazakh writer, describing life in a Kazakh village at the start of the 20th century in his short story «Azhdaha» («Dragon»).

Read also: Fast smart: How to keep your energy up this Ramadan.

Much has changed in Kazakhstan’s villages and cities since then. But the movement of the sun has not. In the world’s ninth-largest country by land area, Muslims observing Ramadan experience...

Many Western policymakers see tariffs and anti-subsidy actions as effective ways to chip away at China’s dominance in manufacturing. That assumption may offer political reassurance, but it misreads the foundations of China’s industrial strength, argues tech entrepreneur and writer Robin Rivaton.

Industrial density over national champions

According to Rivaton, China’s leadership in manufacturing is not built primarily on a handful of state-backed giants. Instead, it rests on extraordinary industrial density. The typical Chinese factory employs roughly 10 workers and operates with modest fixed assets. Most of these small and midsize firms receive little to no direct government...

A Budapest pizzeria is turning back the clock with a limited-edition pizza inspired by ancient Rome, recreating a flatbread style from before tomatoes and mozzarella were part of European cuisine, the Associated Press reported.

At Neverland Pizzeria in central Budapest, founder Josep Zara and his team created the recipe using only ingredients from the Roman Empire without tomatoes or mozzarella.

Partly inspired by a 2023 archaeological find in Pompeii that showed a flatbread topped with pomegranate seeds and dates, Zara looked into Roman culinary history. He consulted sources such as the ancient cookbook «De Re Coquinaria,» and the...

Nemesio Oseguera, 60, known as «El Mencho,» the alleged leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), died in custody from wounds he sustained during a military operation in the western Mexican state of Jalisco. The operation was carried out with U.S. intelligence support, Reuters reported.

After news of Oseguera’s death became public, violence was reported in several parts of the country. Authorities said suspected cartel members set up highway blockades with burning vehicles and set fire to businesses in more than half a dozen states. Officials stated that no civilian deaths had been reported.

In the resort city...

Tokyo Skytree, a popular tourist attraction in Japan’s capital, has been temporarily closed following a Feb. 22 incident, when passengers were trapped in an elevator, NHK World reported.

On the evening of Feb. 22, an elevator carrying 20 passengers, including two children, was descending from the observation deck when it unexpectedly stopped at around 8:30 p.m., about 30 meters above the ground. Rescuers managed to evacuate all the people safely after five hours and 30 minutes.

The facility’s operator decided to close the tower on Feb. 23 to investigate the cause of...

Apple is testing a new, uncommon color for the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, according to Bloomberg tech journalist Mark Gurman. The body of the new flagship device may turn out bright red or burgundy, MacRumors.com reported.

If confirmed, this will be the first time a Pro model has been offered in red. Previously, red was offered only for the iPhone 14 and 14 Plus in the (PRODUCT)RED lineup.

Gurman also noted that earlier reports had speculated that the iPhone 18 Pro would be available in purple and brown. However, he said that...

A new phase of the major pharmaceutical project Polpharma Santo, owned by Polish billionaire Jerzy Starak, is being launched in Shymkent. Phase one of the new facility is expected by the end of 2029, creating 300 jobs and totaling $79.5 million in investment.

The government of Kazakhstan has already approved an investment agreement between the country’s Ministry of Health and Chimpharm. The agreement was signed by Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov.

The project is being implemented in line with President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s instructions to reduce dependence on drug imports, strengthen the country’s drug security and attract investment into the industry...

A tourist attraction offering hot coffee and incredible photo opportunities is gaining popularity in China.

Gushi Cliff Coffee, a café in southeastern China’s Fujian Province, opened in 2024 and is gradually becoming a popular destination among tourists. It is located on a cliff approximately 70 meters above sea level in a village of the same name.

To reach the café, visitors must walk along a trail for about 30 minutes with a guide and pay approximately 400 yuan to enjoy a hot drink and beautiful views while sitting on a bench attached to a mountainside.

The price includes a...

South Korean automaker Hyundai Motor announced a collaboration with The Pokémon Company Korea to release Pokémon-themed designs for in-vehicle displays, the company said in a statement.

Two themes — “Pokémon Pikachu Quick Attack” and “Pokémon Ditto World Theme” — can be applied to the Connected Car Navigation Cockpit infotainment cluster display, featuring Pokémon-themed visuals, animations and characters.

The themes are available for installation on the all-new Palisade, Ioniq 9, the all-new Nexo, the New Ioniq 6, the 2026 Sonata The Edge and the New Staria. The company noted that it plans to...

Nurali Aliyev, the grandson of Kazakhstan’s first President Nursultan Nazarbayev, said he recently embraced a spiritual path and shared details about his journey in a series of Q&A posts on social media.

Read also: Kazakhstan’s ‘Falling Nazarbayev’ sculpture sold to Russian buyer.

Aliyev described his first steps toward what he called «greater awareness.» According to the businessman, the death of a loved one prompted him to reassess his outlook on life.

«I can say one thing: when people in your life leave us and pass on to the...

An international laboratory has been established at Utebayev University in Atyrau, Kazakhstan, in collaboration with Turkish scientists. The specialists will develop environmentally friendly packaging based on polypropylene derived from water and agricultural raw materials, Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Science and Higher Education reported.

The project is being funded through the Ministry’s 2025-2027 grant. It aims to create biodegradable composites to reduce the environmental impact of plastic. During the development process, the scientists use domestic materials: bulrush and agricultural waste products.

Biological raw materials are integrated into the polypropylene structure using specialized equipment, thereby reducing the packaging’s decomposition...

Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Healthcare has banned and ordered the withdrawal from circulation of a batch of the Indian drug Desilmax. The medication, available in 100-milligram tablets, is used to treat erectile dysfunction.

The agency has the authority to suspend, prohibit or withdraw medicinal products from circulation if testing or analysis shows the drug does not meet approved standards or specifications.

The recall applies to batch No. BSE92301A of Desilmax, manufactured by Macleods Pharmaceuticals Ltd., an Indian pharmaceutical company. Medical organizations and pharmacies have been instructed to stop using the product and remove it from sale.

NASA has postponed the March launch of its Artemis II mission, pushing back the planned flight of the Orion spacecraft with four astronauts on board. The space agency said the mission will not take place in March because of newly identified technical issues.

According to Deutsche Welle, engineers detected a helium leak in the rocket’s pressurization system. Officials decided to roll the Space Launch System and the Orion spacecraft back from the launch pad to the Vehicle Assembly Building for repairs. The move effectively eliminates all March launch windows.

The mission had already been delayed from...

Ramadan is no longer observed only as a religious month of fasting and prayer. The ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar has also become a peak season for global retail. British media have coined the term Ramadan Rush, and luxury executives say the weeks leading up to Eid al-Fitr now rival Christmas or Lunar New Year in commercial importance.

Read also: Fast smart: How to keep your energy up this Ramadan.

Here’s how Ramadan has evolved into a major driver of global trade.

The economy of Ramadan

Almaty photographer Dmitry Dotsenko shared video of a rare celestial scene showing a thin crescent moon rising above the spruce-covered slopes of the Ile Alatau at the start of the new lunar month during Ramadan.

Capturing the «ash glow»

The footage was taken using a telephoto lens. Dotsenko captured what is known as «ash glow,» or Earthshine — a phenomenon in which the Moon’s darkened portion is faintly illuminated by sunlight reflected from Earth.

Read also: The Qada checklist: How to catch up on your Ramadan days.

The...

Offenses will now also be monitored by police drones in Almaty. Kursiv LifeStyle explains why residents’ lives may start to resemble the trappings of a cyberpunk dystopia.

According to Polisia.kz, police drones have begun patrolling the city’s skies. In addition to recording violations, the drones are intended to remind residents of their responsibilities.

The devices are equipped with lights and loudspeakers. They patrol pedestrian zones, yards, and crowded areas. If a person litters, spits in a public area, behaves disorderly, or jaywalks, the drone immediately addresses the violator and reminds them that such actions are prohibited.

Leading the field in nominations does not ensure a Nobel Peace Prize win. As our previous review of the Norwegian Nobel Committee archives for 1974 showed, Andrei Sakharov was among the most frequently nominated candidates that year — yet he did not receive the award. He would go on to win in 1975.

Read also: Four days left to nominate the next Nobel Peace Prize winner.

In 1975, the committee received 121 nominations. Sakharov led all individual nominees with 13 nominations. However, the overall front-runners were two international youth...

Osaka, Japan, received a lavish donation of 21 kilograms of gold bars, worth around $3.6 million, from a donor who asked to remain anonymous in November to help renovate the city’s water system, following an earlier cash contribution of roughly $3,200, the BBC reported, citing Osaka Mayor Hideyuki Yokoyama.

«Tackling ageing water pipes requires a huge investment. So I have nothing but appreciation,» the BBC cited Yokoyama as saying.

He pledged to channel the donated resources toward pressing issues, including the degradation of water pipelines.

According to the...

The flash eurozone manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) increased to 50.8 in February, up from 49.5 in January. This is the highest level since June 2022, Euronews reported, citing S&P Global and Hamburg Commercial Bank.

Furthermore, the broader composite PMI, which covers both manufacturing and services, rose to 51.9 from 51.3. This shows that private-sector activity is still growing at a moderate pace. Services remained in growth territory at 51.8, but this was slightly below expectations.

Economists said this improvement could signal a change after almost two years in which manufacturing held back eurozone growth due to weak...

A video of an unusual fitness club in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, looking more like a nightclub than a gym, has gone viral online. People are shown working out to DJ sets, accompanied by a light show.

The video quickly went viral and sparked discussions. Some users found the format bold and interesting, while others received the concept with skepticism, arguing that people go to the gym to work...

Tajikistan’s GDP grew 8.4% in 2025, driven by high gold prices — the country’s key export — major infrastructure spending, primarily on the Rogun Hydropower Station, and increased remittances from migrant workers that boosted domestic demand.

Against this backdrop, the government maintained a budget surplus, strengthening its position to secure concessional loans from international financial institutions to complete what officials call the country’s «project of the century.»

GDP and its components

Tajikistan posted one of the fastest growth rates in Central Asia in 2025, second only to Kyrgyzstan. For the second consecutive year, the economy...

Hungarian composer György Kurtág is marking his 100th birthday with events across Hungary honoring his life and work. Widely regarded as one of the most significant figures in contemporary classical music, Kurtág is being celebrated particularly in Budapest, Euronews reported.

The commemorations began with a screening of the documentary “Kurtág Fragments” at the Palace of Arts (MÜPA). Directed by Dénes Nagy, the film explores the composer’s creative process, as well as themes of doubt, grief and loneliness in old age. Nagy said the project was filmed over four years and built from approximately 300 hours of footage.

Musicians have...

In pursuit of air safety, addressing incidents related to external batteries (power banks), every South Korean carrier has prohibited using them onboard, Yonhap reported.

The country has 11 passenger airlines, with the latest to introduce the limitations being T’way Air, starting Feb. 23. Last October, Eastar Jet became the first in South Korea to implement the restriction.

It is still allowed to carry the power banks, but only in carry-on baggage and not in overhead compartments, being always within reach. Each device must be put in a separate pouch or have its exposed...